Bean there - done that!

Underneath the arches! LOL.





It's been a long time since I picked Runner Beans. I used to grow vegetables in my garden at home but over the years, there have been different circumstances that have made it difficult - either timewise or lack of desire. Now I have an allotment, I have gained back that enthusiasm - despite the hard work that I have to put in - even before I can grow anything.
Alf is my neighbour at plot # 139. He invited me to pick as many beans that were left on his bean poles! He has been very generous. He has given me Chard, beans, Patti Pan and last week...this parsnip.

Also, these peas for sowing next Spring. They cannot be bought. They were given to Alf from the Heritage Seed Company many years ago and he has 'recycled' them each year. I shall look forward to sowing them next Spring.

All creatures great & small!
I made another little friend on my plot! Lizzie the lizard...here she is but she's a little shy, so I had to grab my camera quick.





Click on photos to see a larger view. Thanks for calling by.

Lending a helping hand!

My little grandson - Cameron (10) stayed for a sleepover on Friday night, so he came along to help with some digging. He was so enthusiastic, he got stuck in straight away. Bless him.

Phew! Not what he is used to but in order for him to plant some sweetcorn next Spring, he will need to learn that the ground has to be prepared first.

A little raking levels the soil.

Then when his mum came along to collect him... I just had to get this photo of her with a garden tool in her hand!! LOL. She doesn't do gardens!

Today... I let HELLBOY loose on my plot!

It made such a difference...of course when he gets a flaming torch in his hand....there's no stopping him from lighting up a dark corner!

You might say it's the Burning Bush!

So. Come when it's time to go home...guess who has a tantrum and wants to stay longer?! I do understand...it's going to be raining for the next 3 days, so I guess there will be withdrawal symptoms - for both of us!! LOL.

Toots for now and thank you for stopping by.

Associated Plotters!

The Allotment Association held their annual meeting today. We went along after church and there were many members that turned up - especially newcomers. There were prizes for the best kept plot, best newcomer, largest vegetable, best 5 vegetables and raffle prizes. Lunch was served after the winners were announced. We had homemade soup from plotter's own produce, bread roll, quiche, sausage roll and pizza - along with tea, coffee or squash.

The winners, the largest vegetable - a pumpkin. There was a bigger one - 60lbs but had decided to deteriorate during the week on it's plot!





The best 5 vegetables.





A 'Mumpkin'! Half marrow, half pumpkin.

The organiser - Chris, did have the task of lifting it for weighing....I believe he won the title of Heavyweight champion! LOL.





...and Paul won best newcomer for the amount of work he has done in the couple of months he has had his plot. Well done Paul.







A good time was had by all. Thanks for stopping by.

Queen for a night!!...

...and now for something completely different! I didn't post yesterday as I had such a busy day - and evening. First I completed my grandson's bedroom. I decorated it in his chosen colours - metalic gold and metalic blue walls with red skirting, sill and frames. It looks FAB.

Then as a birthday gift from my daughter, she and I went to see a Queen tribute band - Killer Queen. They were absolutely FANTASTIC.

Oh my, I hadn't had so much fun at a concert for a l o n g time! LOL. I recommend you go see them if you get the opportunity.

http://www.killerqueenonline.com/medley.htm

Here is a link to see a medley of their music. They will rock you! LOL.

So, after all the beeping and a bopping....I thought I would have at least lost 5 lbs today....seeing as I didn't even get to eat dinner last night... but oh no....I put on 1 lb!

Maybe some digging at the allotment today will see to that.

Tomorrow is the Allotment Association meeting after church - a Greet & Meet for us newcomers and some 'oldies'! There will be prizes for the best newcomer, best kept plot, best 5 vegetables and the biggest vegetable! None of which I am going to accomplish! There's always next year. Rumour has it that there will be a 60lb pumpkin.

So watch this space!

Toots for now.

No partridge - but a pear tree!!

We discovered a pear tree hiding behind the brambles and it had quite a crop of pears.

Then HELLBOY set fire to the brambles beneath it and it all got out of control!

It's a scorcher!

...and I'm not talking about the weather. The poor pear tree has been scorched.

That's not all...he already did the same to the crab apple tree!

It has been said that there have been a shortage of bees this year and the trees are necessary for pollination, so let's hope and pray that the damage will be short lived and they will produce fruit for next year.

It seems, I'll not be short of happenings to post on my blog!!

Thanks for reading my blog.

Toots for now.

The end is nigh!

Alas, the end is nigh for harvesting blackberries.

I have thoroughly enjoyed picking them since the middle of July and each year, it seems that the season is longer. I now have a freezer full of blackberries to last me through the winter. Yum.

It was the case for this poor little creature! It looks something like a shrew. It was on the path as I arrived at the allotment this morning.

I have seen so many creatures of nature since having my plot and I dug up this little worm today....it was all tied up in a knot! LOL.

Maybe it is a reminder for something....any ideas?! LOL.

Toots for now.

Tool of the month!

This trusty old rake has won the title for the month of September!

It is over 20 years old and has been so faithful despite the abuse it has had! It's coped with a variety of vicious treatments - including stoking fires, pulling brambles and raking lawns and still it remains as strong as the day it was bought. It deserves it's place up in the top 5 of my most used tools. Hip hip....hooray for Mr Rake! LOL.

Thanks for stopping by and reading my blog.

The Dung Thing!

I've been wanting to clear an area on my plot, ready to put my new compost bin, so that is what I concentrated on today.

It is the area where I cut the elder tree down. I removed brambles and ivy and trudged it over to the burning pile - back and forth I went. Ooo me back! LOL.

What I wasn't prepared for, was the smell!!

Horse manure is 'dumped' at the bottom of the path for plotters on a Saturday morning.

A ton of seaweed was 'dumped' a few weeks ago and so that has all been maturing ready to put in my bin, along with the vegetable peelings that I now keep for the compost.

So here it is.....go on...take a look in the bin....but first....hold your nose!! LOL. It's puuutrid!

Thurrr....I retched and nearly added to the stinking contents!

I added a layer of the vegetable peelings and hopefully, it will all decompose and turn into a rich compost ready for spreading over my beds for next year's crops.

It will be a while before I take the lid off - that's for sure!

Thanks so much for stopping by.

There's no smoke without fire!!

It's not enough is it? There has to be bigger and better!! Now guess what!

This and a 4 burner contraption to 'zap' the ivy and brambles. They don't stand a chance now! Although only 1 burner is used for practice! Come Monday, there will be 4 for sure.

HELLBOY II!

Ok. I have a few burning issues myself. Why should he have all the fun? LOL.

So, with some intrepidation, I took the burner and zapped some weeds myself.

Well, it was my birthday. I want something to remember it by!! Hahahaa.

...and sow to bed!

The bed has been made, the onions have arrived ...

...and instructions have been given - as previously mentioned, as to how to plant them!! Strict instructions...this is not correct.

Pecking order!

They need to have just the tops of the onion visible, as if the bulbs are not planted deep enough, the pigeons will peck them and they will soon disappear!!

...and so to bed - but where are they?!

Ahh well...at least the pigeons will never find them!!

My birthday post below was wrongly posted. It should be for 19th September and 'Dig This' is for 18th. Just so as you can adjust the date on your calendars for next year!

It's my birthday!

I know, I know. I said I wasn't going to the allotment on my birthday but then I changed my mind! LOL. I have now realised that I have yet another addiction! Yes, I am addicted to ...hot chocolate and biscuits, chocolate, photography, scrapbooking and now gardening!

I had a lovely birthday today and celebrated with an Italian lunch at Prezzo's, overlooking the beach in Broadstairs.

Penne al Bufala.

Pasta with Buffalo mozzarella cheese, cherry tomatoes and red onions in a tomato sauce with basil. Mmmm.

With tomato and red onion side salad...and for dessert...

Raspberry Mascapone Trifle.

...and so endeth another birthday. Thank you for the birthday wishes, cards and pressies.

Toots for now.